AuthorTopic: New Behringer digital mixer, the X32 (Read 82564 times)

I agree the omni-outputs are low relative to an LS9-32 (and two fewer than on an LS916), but I would imagine there will be a simple work-around (e.g. via an ADA8K or the like).

More D/A converters does not equal more AUX buses. I do not understand why the unit is being advertised as having a fairly large number of mix buses but only 6 AUX buses. IF the mix buses can be configured as additional AUXes, I could see this being a useful product; otherwise, not so much.

Head amp recall is great, but what are the most basic things you look at when deciding if a mixer is acceptable for your work? Mine start it:* does it have enough inputs?* does it have enough AUX buses for my monitoring and FX needs?* is the channel EQ good enough?Then I move on to nice things. The three above are essential, and if a mixer does not meet those criteria, it can't do the job.

6 AUXes is probably fine for a lot of bar bands. It isn't competitive with other digital offerings in this price range.

I agree that 6 aux buses would certainly limit this mixer. I very much doubt this will be the case. While the DDX3216 only has 4 multi-outs, it can be configured to send 8 auxes via ADAT->ADA8K. They mention something about interfacing with the Behringer P16 personal monitoring system, so maybe there is more to it than meets the eye. Right now the "P16" is also vapor-ware, but could be some sort of multi-channel monitoring system (or it could be an IEM system). As I mentioned, the DDX3216 brought about several accessories like the ADA8K that have been useful. This new mixer may also bring some other goodies with it.

But, I agree with your read of the spec list. Some of the features sound very interesting, but you must wonder why anyone would design a digital desk with so few aux buses, esp. in these days of stereo IEM acceptance.

"The X32 represents BEHRINGER's domination strategy in the digital mixing tournament of champions and we're confident that a checkmate isn't far behind."

I've owned Behringer gear. It has failed me, sounds like shit, and is a disappointment and waste of my money. If the strategy now is to dominate the digital market, well, it's about time they made some changes. As for me, I am, and will continue to be a huge skeptic of this inexpensive and unreliable copycat brand. That is a checkmate from my side of the board and it will take a hell of a rematch to convince me otherwise.

"The X32 represents BEHRINGER's domination strategy in the digital mixing tournament of champions and we're confident that a checkmate isn't far behind."

I've owned Behringer gear. It has failed me, sounds like shit, and is a disappointment and waste of my money. If the strategy now is to dominate the digital market, well, it's about time they made some changes. As for me, I am, and will continue to be a huge skeptic of this inexpensive and unreliable copycat brand. That is a checkmate from my side of the board and it will take a hell of a rematch to convince me otherwise.

Steve

I have owned Behringer crap and a few real gems. While I don't condone their copycat practices, they might be on to a new path now. They bought Midas fair-and-square, a company that obviously wouldn't have been for sale if their product was making money. I for one can't waith to see how much of their new purchase made it's way into this product.

I say, give them a chance - if nothing else it will help keep their competitors on their toes!

This is as vaporous as vaporware gets - just a napkin list of features everyone will want for a super cheap price with the goal of stalling sales of competitor products until they can figure out a way to build something. Maybe they can execute, maybe they can't.

This won't be their first digital board - they had another one in the late 01v or early 01v96 timeframe. I recall some reliability issues and suspect they didn't sell terribly many of them.

Behringer has historically been a "hardware" company - at least as much as copying everyone else's products makes you a hardware company. While there may be a lot of hardware legos that can be assembled into a product with limited effort, a digital board also requires a lot of high-quality software. This is neither easy or inexpensive, and there's no code to copy.

Presonus has discovered just how hard the software can be to get right (and I believe they will succeed). Like many others in this thread, I'll be trusting my gigs to 6th or 7th generation Yamaha digital products until other competitors' products get a little more baked.

Now that the Music Group owns Behringer, Midas, and Klark Teknik, they need a new brand to fill the middle ground. It will take 20 years or more for the majority of even semi-pros to take Behringer seriously. If they want to make quality gear at a reasonable (higher than Behringer) price, they need to create or buy a new brand to market it with.